The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-30
AT THE THEATERS.

GRAND-MoDJEsKA. AS DoSA DIANA
Modjeska appeared at the Grand Opera house
last night before one of the largest audiences of
the season. Not only every seat in balcony,
gallery and the lower floor occupied. but the or
chestra had to give way to the demand for seats,
and it was placed under the stage. Besides,
the Hobbies crowded with people standing.
Nor the audience distinctive only on account
of its size 1t represented the higher social circles
at their best, many of the costumes sug-
costing a gala opera night. This tribute
to the distinguished actress was one that could
have been more appropriately recognized by her
in the higher roles in which she has achieved
artistic success; but after all, 'Dona DIANA
the play presented. did not go amiss. With
closely critical audience it would perhaps fail,
yet there pleasant dialogues. lively repartee
and a superabundance of sentiment to please
one as some well-conceived sketch of love Incl
dents does charming for a moment, then forgot
ten. Dona Diana is role in which Modjesk
depicts engaginglT the freaks of capricious
woman's love Il is not in
feror as to be unworthy of her powers
nor wide enough. nor deep enough to allow her
to attain the best results. She presents in it
stroy recolections of her other successes. The
play centering around the loves of courtiers,
princes and ladies in attendance, derives its col
orlng altogether from them There Is no breadth
of varying passions to divide the interest which
is hold from the first act to the last to The
sentiment that is relieved only by flashes of
scorn, coquetry and despair, to be met by
cool reserve and deception. Lay figures
best describe the other seven
characters aside from Don Caesar.
and Dona Diana The scenes are of court and
court life, with but mere glimpse of the lower
side in the characters of Perrin and Floretta-
While Modjeskas acting as Diana throughout is
hawless, the phases of her art from which the
audience derived the keerest enjoyment were
those in the second aud third act, when all her
accomplishments, beauty and grace failed to
effect her purpose in bringing Don Caesar to her
feet suppliant 1t is In these scenes that the
actresses power manifests itself The Don Caesar
of William Morris was good performance.
while the Perrin of VIM f. Owen supplied bit
of low comedy that mingled well with the over
mastering sentiment of the play.
The performance led to a social event in
eral theater parties. During the holiday sea
son Eli Lilly always remembers his employees
with some form of entertainment Last night
he took them to Modjeska, aud the thirty
five or forty of them occupied the rght-hand
boxes. Herbert Collins also gave party of
this kind in honor of Miss Summers. OF Louis
family. and Harold TAYLOR and guests, Miss
Eston and Miss Smith, of Charlottesville.
formed another.
Mr.. Sheridan Corbyn is in the city, arranging
for the appearance of Frank Mayo at the Grand
the latter part of next week in ''Nordeck" and
THE Royal Guard"
At the Museum Hearts of Oak is doing the
throughout the week. Next week comes Lottie
Church in "Papita" and unknown"
Both the Grand and Enelish's will be closed
the rest of the week. The New Years attrac-
tons at both houses viii be in the comedy line.
AT English's. the comedians. Gilbert, Donnelly
and Girard. will appear Monday afternoon and
evening only. with their original company. in
the laughing success, Natural Gas" which
made hit earlier in the on. At the Grand.
the genial comedian. Sol Sn tn Russell always
great favorite here, will appear in his
comedy conceit, ''Bewitched." Monday after
noon and for three nights. The advance sales
for both engagements begin this morning.
The Yale Glee Club which sings at Plymouth
Church next Monday night. is composed of about
thirty students of Yale Colege-eighteen sing
ers, nine banjoists, whistler and a warbler.
With the exception of Dan Jones. a graduate OF
1854, ali the members undergraduates.
They are chosen by competitive examination
from among the students of the entire uniyer-
sity, and have no interest in the proceeds Of the
concert, which 90 to the maintenance of the uni
versity crew. Only about ten concerts given
each year, as the club cannot be away from the
college except during vacation. and the only trip
taken Is during the holidays Seats be
served at Baldwin's music store and at the Bow
en- Merrill bookstore without extra charge.
The heavy reserve already taken indicates full
house.